Garland Grange Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
Garland Grange Hall
|
|
Location | Off ME 94, Garland, Maine |
---|---|
Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
Built | 1891 |
Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
NRHP reference No. | 75000105 |
Added to NRHP | May 12, 1975 |
The Garland Grange Hall is a special old building located on Oliver Hill Road in Garland, Maine. It was built way back in 1891. This hall is known as one of the best examples of 19th-century Grange halls in Maine. It mixes two cool architectural styles: Greek Revival and Italianate. For many years, it has been a busy social spot for the people living in Garland. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
What is the Garland Grange Hall?
The Garland Grange Hall is found on the west side of Oliver Hill Road. This is in the quiet, spread-out village center of Garland. It's just a short distance north of where Oliver Hill Road meets Maine State Route 94.
Building Design and Features
The hall is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down from the front, and its outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The building sits on a strong foundation made of granite stone.
The corners of the building have special flat columns called pilasters. These are in the Greek Revival style. At the top of these columns, you can see paired brackets. These brackets are part of the Italianate style and help support the wide roof edge.
The front of the building faces east and looks very balanced. It has a main entrance in the middle. This entrance is covered by a small roof, also supported by Italianate brackets. The windows have six small panes of glass on the top and six on the bottom. However, the window in the pointed part of the roof is fixed and has a rounded top. Just under the roof's edge, there's a band of pretty flower-shaped decorations.
Inside the Hall
Inside, the Garland Grange Hall still has its original wooden finishes. The first floor has a dining hall and a kitchen. This is where people would eat and prepare food for events. Upstairs, on the second floor, there is a large auditorium. This space was used for meetings, performances, and other community gatherings. Even today, you can still find and use the original tables and chairs from the 1800s!
History of the Grange Hall
The Grange Hall was built by members of the local Grange chapter. The Grange is a group called the Patrons of Husbandry. It was formed in Maine in 1873 to help farmers and their families. The Garland Grange chapter started in 1874.
Why is this Grange Hall Special?
The members of the Garland Grange built this hall in 1891. It is one of the oldest Grange halls in Maine that shows off such interesting architecture. It combines older styles like Greek Revival with newer ones like Italianate. This shows how Maine's buildings in the 1800s often kept older styles even after they were no longer popular in other places. The hall has been a central place for the community to gather and connect for over a century.